Bible Study - Class meets on Thursday from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM CST.

[LadyLionness]

Matthew 9:35-38 - The Law of Intuition:  Jesus' Diagnosis and Perscription
 
The Ultimate Leader teaches us about the divine order of capturing and casting a vision.  Leaders often err by flitting from vision to vision.  Why? Because they fail to take the time to become burdened over a need.  Burden always comes first; then vision.  consider the order we see in Jesus' leadership:
 
1.  He sought a need:  As Jesus traveled the villages, He saw their needs (vv. 35, 36).
 
2.  He bought a burden:  He diagnosed the problem:  "I need more workers" (v. 37).
 
3.  He caught a vision:  He gave a prescription for the burden (v. 38).
 
Leaders remain relevant only as they meet real needs.  Consequently, we must pause long enough to observe needs, then feel the tug of a burden.  And truthfully, it's this burden that keeps me coming back to PH... and in many areas, it is finally coming to fruitition, in this forum and in other forums.  Lastly, we must catch a vision that will address the burden.  If only there is more time in the day... atlas... we take what we get.

[LadyLionness]

Father, we thank you for this opportunity to come into your presence and experience your love.  Amen.

[WindComeWindBlow]

Thank you Lord for your love, patience, and for today.  Thank you for this opportunity for all of us to come together to study your word.  Be with us and give us Your guidance.  I pray in Your most precious name, Amen.

[WindComeWindBlow]

This passage is very strong:

Matthew 10:
37“If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. 38If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. 39If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

[WindComeWindBlow]

Lord, thank you for reminding us that you are greater than any of our problems.  Thank you for being so faithful and loving.  I pray that you continue to humble us and keep our hearts close to You.  I pray in your powerful name, Amen.

[LadyLionness]

Oh, Snap!  My 11:00 o'clock overran and I totally forgot.  Thank you, Cua, for leading today.

[WindComeWindBlow]

No problem, LL. 

From my Bible side notes:

Chapter 10:34-39
Christian commitment may separate friends and loved ones.  In saying this, Jesus was not encouraging disobedience to parents or conflict at home.  Rather, he was showing that his presence demands a decision.  Because some will follow Christ and some won't, conflict will inevitably arise.  As we take up our cross and follow him, our different values, morals, ands goals will set us apart from others.  Christ calls us to a higher mission than to find comfort and tranquility in this life.  Love of family is a law of God, but even this love can be self- serving and used as an excuse not to serve God or do his work.  Don't neglect your family, but remember that your commitment to God is even more important.  God should be ur first priority. 

[DonJuan]

This passage is very strong:

Matthew 10:
37“If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. 38If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. 39If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

Indeed, if one studies that passage carefully, one will understand what true love is and come to the realization of God.

But to comprehend that, one must understand true love not men's love which is conditional and self serving.

True love can be written with books and volumes and more likely not even understood.

True love is not attachment: the family denotes that very opposite, especially in Hmong culture. To love with true love, one must destroy the concept of family.

Husbands, wives and children also points to attachment. You can love them but not being attached.

Lol . I am already not making any sense!

This is why I always say:
I have no family, no dignity, no pride, no country. I Have no friends and am not close to anyone.

[LadyLionness]

Home sick, so still making more theraflu and soup.  A bit late, but let's get started.

[LadyLionness]

Dear Lord,


So much has happened and sometimes we get carried away by them.  I am so grateful that even though we get lost and blown about, you are always you and always near to us, if we just but turn to you.  Lord, I pray that you will be with us today and instill your Word into our hearts, mind and soul.

[LadyLionness]

Dear Lord,
 
Sorry about last week.  Something came up, had to handle some issues and by the time I looked back, it was 2:00 PM.  Please be with us today as we study your word.  We love you and ask that you be with us and purify our hearts, minds, and souls so that we can receive your words and so that they can grow roots in us.  All this I pray in the name of my Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus.  Amen.

[LadyLionness]

Vision:  The Process Toward Fulfiling a God-Given Vision
 
Matthew 9:35 - 10:5
 
Jesus teaches us the process of fulfilling a God-given vision.  Study this passage and watch for the steps:
 
1.  Take initiative to obey.  Get active in service.
This one is very true.  As you serve, your faith grows by leaps and bounds.  "Jesus went about all the cities and vilalges..."  (9:35).
 
2.   Communicate the truth you have laredy. 
"...teaching in their synagogues [and] preaching the gospel of the kingdom" (9:35).
 
3.  Observe and understand the reality of human conditions.
"But when He saw the multitudes..." (9:36)
 
4.  Allow God to burden you wiht a specific need.
"He was moved with compassion for them, because they were... like sheep having no sheperd" (9:36).  This is also true.  As I have stated before, for a long time, I was moved with compassion for the people of PH.  I see the pain and the sadness the emptiness.  I wanted to remain here and help in anyway that I can.  I wanted to be where the people were at.  I didn't see any point in surrounding myself with a bunch of Christian who all think like me and talk like me... I get that from home, from church, from my life already.  I wanted to be where the real people and the real issues are.
 
5.  See a divine diagnosis.  What is the issue to be resolved? 
"The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few"  (9:37).  I am finding that in here as well.  There are so few laborers in here.  Those of you who are Christians and reading this, I hope that you will join us and post and share your experience as well.
 
6.  Pray to determine what action could meet that need.
"Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest" (9:38).  I guess I forgot to do this... lolz.  Will get right on it.
 
7.  Choose a team and empower them for partnership. 
"And when He had called His twelve disciples to HIm, He gave them power... "  (10:1).
 
8.  Take immediate action toward the fulfillement of the vision. 
"These twelve Jesus sent out..." (10:5)
 

[LadyLionness]

The Law of the Inner Circule:  John Feels the Vacuum of Isolation
 
Matthew 11:2, 3
And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his diciples and said to Him, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"
 
When John loese his inner circule of disciples, his empty emotional tank prompts him to question Jesus' identity and credentials.  Leaders need a close team of assiciates who allow the leader to vent, and who lend support through speaking words of truth.  Do you have an inner circle?
 
Note that Jesus did not puff out his chest and struts about his importance... nor did he get upset that John dared to question him.  Instead, he gently answer John and comfort him with the truth.
 
Jesus answered John's doubts by pointing to his acts of healing the blind, lame, and def, curing the lepers, rising the dead, and preaching the Good News to the poor.  With so much evidence, Jesus's identify was obvious.  If you sometiems doubt your salvation, the forgiveness of your sins, or God's work in your life, look at the evidence in Scripture and the changes in your life.  When you doubt, don't turn away from Christ, turn TO HIM... this is so crucial in our walk with Christ and will help you to make it in your quest for spiritual growth and maturity.

[LadyLionness]

Father,
 
I am amazed.  I am awed by the power of your Word, how simply being in your word can cleanse my soul and readjust my perspective.  I love you and want to always be in your presence.  Lord, thank you so much for this time that we have come together to study and read your Word.  May they take roots and do amazing things in our lives.  All this I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

[LadyLionness]

The problem with that is: some people don't want to be helped.  I have a co-worker who told me she doesn't want to go to Heaven b/c it's going to be soooooooo boring up there.

What you explained signifies "humbleness".  The problem with so many leaders, especially xwbfwb, is that they are not humbled.  They think b/c they are a licensing xf, their words are gold and everyone should just do what they say.  I have an issue with people like that.

Very true, some people don't want to be helped... and that is ok too.  We do what we can, we plant the seed, let them know who they are... and if there ever come a time in their life where they need God, we hope that they know they can come to us.  My daughter had a friend who did just that.
 
As for cov XF, you are right.  I have seen some like that too.  I have seem those who hold themselves high and those who are humble... in my experience ... and I could be wrong... the ones who went through college and then are licensed... they have a better understand and are LESS LIKELY to be offended.  Those who are licensed b/c of classes they took, but not a college degree... they are MORE LIKELY to get offended... of course, everyone's experience is different... in the end, it all depends on their Spirit Maturity... I know people with degrees in Theology that are so way off base, even a laymen like me can clearly see it...
 
But I too, have problem with people who get offended when their words are not taken as Gold.  Even know, when I am listening to ANY pastor's preaching... I am constantly comparing what he is saying to the scriptures... always double checking to ensure that what they are teaching is aligned with the Bible... of the ones I am unsure, I make a note of it and when I get home, I look it up.
 
Too many people have been lead astray, I am not taking any chances.  I teach and encouraged my kids to do the same.  I also always encouraged people the read their Bible through from cover to cover, at least ONCE... and that is also the drive for me to do this Bible Study Class.